Abstract
BACKGROUND: An accurate determination of blood ethanol concentrations is important. To minimize ethanol degradation in blood samples, sodium fluoride (NaF) collection tubes have been recommended for use. In this study, we attempted to utilize the Olympus AU5421 chemistry analyzer for ethanol analysis based on the parameters established for the Toshiba 200FR. We also evaluated the effect of NaF collection tubes on ethanol concentrations. METHODS: The precision, linearity, accuracy, and carry-over rate of the AU5421 analyzer were evaluated. The results of analysis using the AU5421 and Abbott AxSYM analyzers were also compared. The effects of NaF collection tubes on ethanol concentrations in stored samples were measured. RESULTS: The AU5421 showed a good precision, linearity, accuracy, and carry-over rate. The ethanol concentrations were well correlated with the results obtained using the AxSYM. There was no statistically significant difference in blood ethanol concentrations between the samples collected in tubes with NaF and those collected in tubes without NaF. CONCLUSIONS: Since the AU5421 showed excellent analytical performance, the AU5421 could be used as an alternative to AxSYM for the determination of blood ethanol concentrations. Our analysis also indicated that there is no need to use NaF collection tubes if blood ethanol concentrations are analyzed within 3 h after blood collection. We believe that the results obtained in this study will have important implications for the use of the AU5421 system to measure blood ethanol concentrations.